This last year, I’ve traveled a lot. It has been an amazing experience to go and paint my murals in so many homes and businesses and to connect with people across the country. But when I come home, I really want to connect with my kids. Reading is one of my favorite ways to spend time with them. There’s nothing better than snuggling up at bedtime and reading a book or two. And especially around the holidays, when my traveling slows down, I get to be close to them and share more time. And even as they grow older, books are a great way to connect and talk. Reading Harry Potter with my oldest has been such a fun experience, but I’ve even loved reading his favorite graphic novels like Amulet so that we have something to share.
Looking for a cute story to share with your loved ones? Here’s a few recommendations for this year.
Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
Kids 0-8 | Bedtime Board Book
This is still, somehow, miraculously, the only book the kids always want to read at bedtime. Maybe it’s the voices that we do? I’m not sure. But we’ve read it to them since they were babies and now as readers themselves, they still giggle every time as they watch Gorilla sneak around the zoo.
Your Baby’s First Word Will Be DADA by Jimmy Fallon and Miguel Ordonez
Kids 0-8 | Bedtime Board Book
This is a funny gift for any new fathers. This cute board book shows animal fathers desperately trying to get their babies to say “Dada.” Their desperation is funny and the sheer repetition with your baby will all but guarantee your baby’s first word will actually be “Dada.” Good luck, dads. It’s an interesting hill to die on, my friend.
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend
Kids 0-8 | Bedtime Picture Book
This has become a bedtime favorite. Beekle is an imaginary friend, but doesn’t yet have the friend part. All the other imaginary friends have their kids and go on adventures, but Beekle is alone. Until one day, he decides to go and find his kid. The art in this is stunning, but the story is also super cute.
In My Heart by Jo Witek
Kids 0-8 | Bedtime Picture Book
Being little can be rough sometimes, especially as you start developing your emotions. In My Heart is such a great reference for young kids to understand their different types of feelings. It’s helpful to understand that joy, anger, sadness, and all levels of emotion are part of what makes you, you. It’s also been helpful for our kids that are beginning to enter the complicated world of other people’s emotions. This is a sweet bedtime book that kids up to 10 would love to have read to them.
Malala Yousafzai – (Little People, Big Dreams) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Kids 0-10 | Bedtime Picture Book
I was so inspired by Malala’s story years ago. Her determination, perseverance, and the effect she’s had on improving education for women everywhere has been astounding. Our family adores the Little People, Big Dreams series. Our kids love their books on people like David Bowie, Jane Goodall, and Stephen Hawking. Parents and kids will both feel inspired by these great books.
Cici’s Journal: Lost and Found by Joris Chamblain and Aurélie Neyret
Kids 8-12 | Graphic Novel
A few years ago we stumbled across Cici’s Journal. Our oldest was devouring graphic novels (he still is) and we wanted to give him something a bit longer, challenging, and interesting. We loved the original book as Cici investigates her neighborhood, mysteries, and learns about the lives of her neighbors. Think Harriet the Spy. This book is the sequel that was released this year and it is phenomenal. This book further develops Cici’s personality as she engages with the people around her and their struggles. These books are extremely emotionally intelligent and help encourage curiosity in people and empathy.
The Questioneers Chapter Book Collection by Andrea Beaty
Kids 8-12 | Chapter Books
This series is marvelous! Each book tells the story of one kid, their interests, how it affects them and the people around them, and encourages kids to continue to pursue the things they love. Our kids are obsessed with the picture books, but this chapter book series has taken it to a new level. Our oldest grew up with us reading Ada, Twist Scientist and when he found out there was a chapter book that expanded the story—he disappeared into his room and read all day.
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
Kids 7-10 | Graphic Novels
It can be difficult to get kids continually engaged in reading at first. The Dog Man series comes from the creator of Captain Underpants, Dav Pilkey. At an elementary school, you’ll see these books in like half the kids hands. They’re popular for a reason, they are fun, silly, and very easy to jump into. Our kids have just devoured the books as they watch Dog Man fight crime.
Kids 8-12 | Chapter Books
Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
I don’t know how/why our family got obsessed with secret society stories, but all of us are. The adults are bingeing cult documentaries and the kids are watching Gravity Falls or devouring A Series of Unfortunate Events. We all love a good mystery and when that mystery turns out to be a much wider network of people pulling the strings—ugh, soooo good. These series also do a really important work with kids. They show kids using their intelligence to overcome obstacles while also showing adults and they systems they create as flawed, unfair, or self-serving. I love these for fostering a critical eye in my kids of the systems, culture, and society they are born into. This series we originally encountered on Netflix and then turned to the book series. For your curious, mysterious reader, this series will be a delight.
Kids 8-12 | Graphic Novel
5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior
After our oldest burned through the Amulet series, we were excited to find something similar that would keep his momentum going. We came across 5 Worlds at a Scholastic Book Fair and picked up the first book in the series. Now, he’s a dedicated fan of all the books and anxiously awaits the newest book releases. The story takes place in another galaxy where people have special abilities to control aspects of nature. Think The Last Airbender meets Amulet.
Looking for more gift guides?
We got a little out of control this year. Check out all of the gift guides we put together for you this year!
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